Lee Washington Bureau - 04/27/07

WASHINGTON -- The White House used roasted duck to duck a request by Montana's two senators that steak be served at a state dinner for the prime minister of Japan, which restricts some beef imports from America.

Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester sent a letter to the White House executive chef asking her to serve Montana steak at the formal dinner. They wanted to make a tasty statement on "unjustified trade barriers,'' they said. But a White House menu released Thursday listed crab as the appetizer and duck as the main course.

Petite roasted breast of duck, soft duck egg and crispy braised duck leg, to be exact.

The White House does plan to serve cheeseburgers, onion rings and slaw at a Friday lunch for the Japanese leader at Camp David.

Japan imposed a beef ban in 2003 after a cow in Washington state tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. Japan eased the ban last July, but still allows shipments of U.S. beef only from cattle 20 months of age or younger. But Baucus and Tester say international health standards certify the safety of all U.S. beef, regardless of age.